AUSTIN (CelebrityAccess) – Armadillo World Headquarters, the iconic music venue that played a pivotal role in establishing Austin as “the live music capital of the world,” is returning. However, instead of reopening as a live music hall, the new brand, Armadillo World, will honor the spirit and legacy of the original venue through live events, merchandise, and a documentary film.
During its heyday from 1970-1981, the “Dillo” brought music fans together from all walks of life and hosted over 800 legendary artists, including Frank Zappa, Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Buffett, Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, Ray Charles, Van Morrison, Jerry Garcia, AC/DC, Van Halen, Talking Heads, and more. The venue’s final show in 1980 by Asleep at the Wheel left a legacy of inclusion, creativity, and unity.
Armadillo World Headquarters and Austin FC, Major League Soccer’s 27th professional team, announced an exclusive cultural collaboration to kick off the revival. The Club’s new kit features a jocktag inspired by the original Armadillo World Headquarters logo and a reference to the original venue’s address on the back of the neck. The kit was unveiled at an exclusive event held on February 15 at ACL Live, featuring headliners and 7x Grammy winners Asleep at the Wheel, Ray Benson and new country sensation William Beckmann.
“As a relatively new major league team that strives to be a flagbearer for the community, we believe it’s important to pay homage to the people and places who helped build Austin’s creative and vibrant spirit,” said Austin FC President Andy Loughnane. “The spirit of camaraderie and community that came to life at Armadillo World Headquarters is still very much on display today in Austin, and you see it come to life at Q2 Stadium on an Austin FC matchday.”
Armadillo World will reveal a treasure trove of over 200 video/audio tapes of classic Armadillo performances for a feature documentary film currently in development. A new line of limited-edition retro merchandise has also launched, with vinyl recordings and live music events to be announced. The first glimpse into music history has been captured in a new website and teaser video exclusively revealed here.
“We created a gangly, oversized venue full of musicians, misfits, artists, creatives, musicians, and cooks, all working together to create a desirable community that became why Austin has a magnetic appeal. Today, we are celebrating the spirit of the Armadillo with a new generation of music and pop culture fans. We’ll never capture the feeling of being in the original venue. Still, we can share the powerful culture that made Austin the special place it is today,” said Eddie Wilson, co-founder and owner of Armadillo World Headquarters.
For more information, you can visit www.armadilloworld.com.
